overbook
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈoʊvərˌbʊk/
KK: /ˈoʊvərˌbʊk/
intransitive verb
Definition
To accept more reservations than there are available spaces, often leading to a situation where not everyone can be accommodated.
Example
The hotel tends to overbook during the holiday season, causing some guests to be turned away.
Tense Forms
Past: overbooked
Past Participle: overbooked
Conversation
Did you hear that the new restaurant in town tends to overbook their tables?
Yeah, I read some reviews that mentioned that problem.
It's frustrating because we might not even get a table when we go.
I know! We should probably make a reservation just to be safe.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
oversell
overcommit
overextend
Antonyms
underbook
cancel
reduce
transitive verb
Definition
To accept more reservations than there are available spaces, such as for a flight or hotel.
Example
The airline decided to overbook the flight, hoping that not all passengers would show up.
Tense Forms
Past: overbooked
Past Participle: overbooked
Conversation
Did you hear that the airline overbooked the flight again?
Yeah, it's so annoying when they do that.
I hope they don't do that for my trip next week.
Root Explanation
Overbook → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively or too much) and "book" (from Old English "boc", meaning to record or register). The word "overbook" means to excessively book or reserve more than the available capacity.
Memory Tip
Think of 'over-' meaning too much and 'book' as in recording reservations — that's why overbook means to reserve more than what is available.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.